Bethel University quarterback Cooper Drews dropped back to pass on first down halfway through the third quarter. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds’ defense, down 31-16, looked to force a stop and stay in the game.
Receiver Joey Kidder, already with two touchdown catches on the day, exploded off Eau Claire’s 34-yard line, hesitated to make his defender jump, and sprinted deep. Drews, meanwhile, did not hesitate. He lobbed a perfectly-placed pass that found Kidder at the five-yard line, who then waltzed into the end zone for his third touchdown of the game.
But this was not just any touchdown.
It was Kidder’s 30th touchdown catch as a Royal, the most in program history.
Coming into the game, Kidder said he knew he was close to the record, but didn’t think too much about it during the game.
“I was just focusing on the game, trying to stay mentally tough,” Kidder said. “ But I knew it was close, and then they announced it after the game, I was like ‘I guess that’s what it is.’”
Kidder caught his first touchdown of the Royals’ 51-30 win over the Blugolds on the first drive of the game. On Eau Claire’s ten-yard line, the Royals offense forced an offsides penalty as they snapped the ball. The free play gave Drews an opportunity to capitalize. He lofted a pass just high enough for Kidder to reach in the corner of the end zone to “Moss” a would-be Blugolds defender.
He tied the record with a two-yard score in the second quarter, broke the record with the aforementioned catch in the third quarter, and caught another touchdown for 15 yards in the fourth — just to be sure the record was his.
“Cooper just kept giving me opportunities,” Kidder said “and I was taking advantage of them.”
Kidder, a graduate student, is now in his fourth season with the Royals and came to Bethel by way of New Richmond, Wisconsin. His two older siblings attended Bethel, so he grew up around the campus before being recruited himself.
He eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving in his first two seasons with the Royals in 2021 and 2022, snagging double-digit receiving touchdown totals in both seasons. The Joe Montana to Kidder’s Jerry Rice in those two seasons was longtime Royals quarterback Jaran Roste.
Roste is now the Royals’ quarterbacks coach and said Kidder was a key piece at wideout, when the two made a national semifinal appearance.
“He’s one of my best friends, and so to be able to play with him we had a lot of success on the field together.” Roste said.
Now Roste gets to mentor the quarterback who made the record-breaking touchdown possible, Cooper Drews. As friends, Roste and Kidder have a unique dynamic within the offense, which can help lead the less-experienced Drews.
“We’ve got great leaders who are capable of leading the offense and allowing Cooper to focus on his job and what he needs to do.” Roste said. “That’s when we’re going to be most effective.”
Last season, the first without Roste since he began playing, Bethel’s offense struggled to find its footing, particularly in the passing game. Kidder managed just 390 receiving yards and three touchdowns all season. Despite that, Kidder found ways to stay positive and consistent.
“The program’s built a love and passion for each other,” Kidder said. “And whether that’s me scoring touchdowns or someone else scoring touchdowns, I just want to win games.”
This season, Bethel’s offense is a revamped one. Offensive coordinator Colin Duling has implemented a no-huddle approach, something Kidder is familiar with from his high school days.
“I love the fast pace — just get to the ball play after play after play,” Kidder said. “Making the defense get tired, a little unorganized with how we’re moving around so fast, it’s really fun.”
Kidder has benefited significantly from this new offense and fast pace. At 231 receiving yards and five touchdowns, Kidder has one record behind him – all-time touchdown catches – and another still in front of him. He sits just 262 yards away from Bethel’s career receiving yards record.
The Royals improve to 2-0 on the season with the win, averaging 50 points per game. Now, they move into conference play and will host sixth-ranked St. John’s University, who are coming off a bye week, at Royal Stadium next Saturday. The Johnnies will likely be the Royals toughest test all season, having outscored their opponents a combined 84-13 in two games to start the year.
The boosted offense and dynamic passing attack, however, featuring Drews and Kidder gives Bethel a chance to upset St. John’s and start the season at an impressive 3-0.
